Hand-Painted Olmec Statues Come To Naperville For Countywide Exhibit

NAPERVILLE, IL — A new public art exhibition brings over-sized, hand-painted sculptures of heads to Naperville and beyond to pay tribute to traditional Mesoamerican Olmec statues. In all, 33 North American artists have lent their talents to the Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy project.

Two statues can be found in Naperville. One is located outside the 95th Street Library and the other is outside Nichols Library.

Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy is presented by Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, Meztli Mexico, DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau and College of DuPage Public Art Project.

Several arts and culture organizations in Naperville plan to celebrate Latin American culture with other upcoming projects inspired by the exhibition, which will be on display until the end of October.

"The City is incredibly grateful to partner with these wonderful organizations to highlight Latin American heritage in the Naperville community,” Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger said in a statement.

Krieger added, “Public art can help connect people and improve public spaces. The Olmec sculptures are the first of many public art pieces the community will enjoy thanks to Naperville’s Public Art program.”